Envelope machine



(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 1.

E. M. Low.

BNVELOPE MACHINE. y No. 544,815. gtented nAug. 13', 1895.

6 In n y, nnngndmnn 1., L v 7 l f 5" 52:.' h -w n g n nnnnnnnnnnnnnwnnnnnm Q I r??- 'A Iff i* 'u 3 l (No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 2.

E. M. LOW.

BNVBLOPB MACHINE. l No. 544,315. L Patented Aug. 13,1895.

j. M uur l 1 il,

WIL- .m

IIIIIIMI (No Model.) 5 sheets-sheet' 3.

E. M. LOW.

ENVBLOPE MACHINE.

Patented Aug. 13, 1895.

aLNorlvlmiel.) 5 sheets-sheet 4.

E. M. LOW. ENVELPE MACHINE.

:Patented Augfs, 1895.

(No Model.)v` 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 A E. M. LOW.

. BNVBLOPE MACHINE. No. 544,315. Patented Aug. 15551895.v

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EVERETT M. LOW, OE WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO vTHE WORCESTER ENVELOPE COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

ENVELOPE-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N o. 544,315, dated August 13, 1895.

l Application filed August 21, 1888. Serial No. 283.378. (No model.)

.To all whom it may concern.:

Be it known that I, EVERETT M. LOW, a citizen of the United States, residing at Worcester, in the county 'of Worcester and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Envelope-Machines; and I do hereby declare thatthe following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, which, in connection with the drawings inaking a part of this specification, will enable others skilled in the art to which my invention belongs to make and use the same.

My invention relates to envelope-machines, and more particularly tothat portion of an envelope machine known as the foldingbox, and to the mechanism which is employed in taking the folded envelope from the folding-box and delivering the same to the drying or counting mechanism, as the case may be.

The folding-box which forms the subject of my present invention belongs to that class in which the envelope is folded upon a table or foiding-bed by means of hinged wings or folding-blades, one pair of which act conjointly at each end of the envelope and in opposite directions to fold the end flaps of the envelope, another serves to fold the back Hap of the envelope, and another creases the seal-Hap.

The construction and operation of the folding-wings are substantially the same as those now in general use in envelope-machines, except as hereinafter pointed out and described with reference to the construction of the backap folder and the movements of the backiap and seal-ap folders. The mechanism by which the envelope is delivered from the folding-box is, l believe, novel in its construction and operation, as is also the method of taking the envelope from the box in its essential features.

The object of my invention is to improve upon the construction and operation of the folding-box and connecting and operating mechanisms of envelope-machines; and my invention consists in certain novel features of construction .and operation of the same, as will be hereinafter fully described.

Referring to the drawings, Figure l represents a plan View of a folding-box of an envelope-machine of my improved construction, yshowing the folding-wings in the position they occupy at the time the folded envelope is taken from the folding-box. top view ot' the bed or table on which the en velope is folded, the folding-wings having been removed. Fig. 3 is a sectional view of a portion of the supporting-plate on line a: x, Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a detached view of one of the spindles employed for raising the foldingring. Fig. 5 is on an enlarged scale a transversesectionalview of the folding-box on line y o, Fig. 1, showing the parts as the envelope is seized. Fig. 6 is on an enlarged scale a transverse sectional view of the folding-box on line ,a z, Fig. l, showing the mechanism for folding the flaps and for delivering the envelope from the box in the position assumed as the envelope is released from thevdelivering mechanism. Fig. 7 is on an enlarged scale a transverse sectional View of the folding-box on line fr Fig. l, showing the operative mechanism in the position shown in Fig. 5. Fig. 8 is on an enlarged scale a transverse sectional View of the folding-box on line w ai', Fig. 1, showing the operative parts in the saine position as shown in Fig. 6. Fig. 9 is an endview taken on line m2, Fig. 10, looking in the direction of the arrow a, same figure, showing the cams supported below the bed of the machine and the mechanism for connecting them with the parts which they operate; and Fig. 10 is a front view of the cams and connecting mechanism shown in Fig. 9, looking in the direction of arrow b, same figure; and Figs. l1, l2, and 13 represent, respectively, on an enlarged scale, face views of the cams F8, D9, and G29, detached.

In the accompanying drawings, A is a supporting-plate attached to the table N of the envelope-machine, the central section being raised at B and forming the folding-bed or table on which the envelope-blank is folded. The raised portion B is surrounded by a rectangular ring B, capable of a vertical movement, so that the upper surface of the ring may be raised flush with the surface of the folding-bed B, or lowered slightly below it. The ring B', in this instance, rests upon the three eccentric spindles B2, B3, and B4,wl1ich Fig. 2 shows a` are journaled in the plate A, the spindles B2 and B4 being alike, as shown in Fig. L1. The ends of each of the spindles B2 B4 are made eccentric to the axis of the spindle for a short distance, and the side of the ring B next the back-flap folder is supported upon the eccentric section B5 of the spindle. Between spindles B2 and B4 is a longer spindle B5, (shown in its entire length in Fig. 6,) and extending across the folding-table or bed supporting the side of the ring B next the seal-flap upon a similar eccentric section B5. The spindles B2, B5, and B4 are provided with a groove B7 (see Fig. 4) to receive a tapered pin B5, having a milled head Bg and a screw-threaded top entering a screw-threaded hole in the plate A. (See Fig. 3.)

As the pin B8 is screwed into the plate A, the tapered section of the pin is made to press against the side of the spindle, preventing the spindle from turning, and at the same time holding the spindle from being drawn out. The ring B is thus raised or lowered through a space equal to the throw of the eccentric sections of the spindles, and the spindles are held from turningr [by means of the tapering pins B5.

The raised bed B and ring B are the size of the folded envelope, and they together form the bed upon which the envelope-blank is folded, the ring B being raised or lowered below the surface of the portion B, in order to vary the pressure of the folders upon the edge of the envelopes in the saine manner as is now common in envelope-machines.

B15, Figs. 2 and 5, denote springs attached by screws B11 to the plate A,with the ends of the springs attached by screws B12 to the under side of the ring B, so that the tension of the springs B15 will serve to draw the ring B down upon the eccentric sections of the spindles B2, B5, and B4.

The end-ilap folders C are hinged to the plates C', attached to the plate A, (see Fig. 1,) and they are operated in the usual manner through' the connecting-rod C2, pivoted at its outer end to the angle-lever C5, pivoted at C4, below the table N, and the lower arm of said anglelever C5, connected with the rod C5, pivoted at C5 to the lever C2, having a slot in its lower part, through which the shaft O extends, and carrying at its lower end the roll C5, which engages with and is operated by the cam CS on the driving-shaft O, carrying pulley M. (See Figs. 9 and 10.) A spring C15 serves to keep the cam-roll C5 in contact with its cam C5, and similar springs serve to keep the other cam-rolls, hereinafter to be described, in contact with their cams.

The seal-flap folder D consists of the spindle D', having a wing D2 and journaled in bearings D3. (See Fig. 1.) The spindle D and the seal-flap folder D are given a rocking motion, as hereinafter described, and are moved, as is usual in envelope-machines, by means of a radial arm D5 on the spindle D', which is extended from the broken end D4,

(see Fig. 1,) and said radial arm is connected by a link D5 with thelever D2, carrying a roll D5, which is engaged and operated by a cam D5on the drivingshaft O and a spring D15, (see Figs. 9 and 10,) causing said seal-flap folder D to have a rocking motion up and down at the proper time to fold the seal-flap of the envelope.

The back-flap folder has a peculiar construction, as shown in central sectional view in Fig. 6, by which a yielding pressure is given to the folding -blade and an independent pressure given to the edge ot' the blank and to the gummed surface. Referring to said figure, E is the spindle of the back-flap folder, journaled in bearings E', (see Fig. 1,) attached to the plate A and having a wing E2, formed integral with the spindleE and shown in outline in Fig. 1. Pivoted upon a pin E5, held in lugs E4, projecting from the rear side of the spindle E, (see Fig. 1,) is an arm E5,

to which a forked connecting-rod E5 is at-v tached by the pins E7. (See Fig. 1.) A bolt E8 is attached tothe wing E2 by a pin E5,and extending through the arm E5 receives upon its screw-threaded end the nut E2, which rests in the tapering seat E10 in the arm E5. (See Fig. 6.) Between arm E5 and the wing E2 is a coil-spring E11, with one end resting on the wing E2 and the other-end entering a recess E12 in the arm E5.

E13 is a plate of the proper form to press upon the blank on that part which has received the gum, the base-line of the plate forming angles, as a a, (see Fig. 1,) corresponding with outlines of the wing E2. The plate E13 is connected with the arm E5 by means of the bolt E14, whose head is inclosed between the plate E13 and the convex plate E15, attached to the plate E13 by the screws E15. The bolt E14 passes through arm E5 and the elastic washer E17 and carries a nut E15. The convex side of the plate E15 is seated in the concave face of a washer E12, attached to the arm E5, so the plate E15 is capable of a slight rocking motion upon washerE19 allowing the face of the plate E13 to conform to anyirregularities or inequalities in the envelope-blank. The face of the plate E13 is on the same plane as the surface of the wing E2, forming a continuous surface which is brought upon the envelope-blank by the rocking motion of the spindle E through the connecting-rod E5, pivoted at E25, Figs. 9 and 10, to aradial arm E24 fast on the spindle E25, supported in bearings E25 on the table N and having a radial arm E27 fast thereon and connected at its outer end with the lever E25, carrying a roll E25, engaging with and operated by the cam E55 on the shaft O and a spring E51. The power is applied through the connecting-rod E5, operated as above described, to the arm and through the spring E11 to the wing E2 and spindle E, rocking the spindle E and bringing the wing E2 down upon the edge ofthe en- Velope-blank with a yielding pressure. The movement of the arm E5 at the same time IIO carries the plate E13 with its wings E22 down upon the surface of the blank corresponding to the gummed portion with a pressure sufficient to firmly unite the gummed portion of the backkliap to the edges of the end flaps, the pressure being applied directly from the arm E5 to the plate E13 through the washer E10, resting on the convex plate E10, the plate E18 being raised from the blank by means of the bolt E14 and nut E18. (See Fig. 6.)

In case the plate E13 is prevented from being pressed down parallel with the surface of the folding-bed by reason of any inequalities in the blank, the plate E13 is rocked slightly bythe convex plate E15, turning in its seat in the washer E10, thereby causing an equal pressure to be exerted upon the entire gummed surface of the back-Hap.

The hole E20 through the arm E5 to receive the bolt E14 is made slightly tapering to permit the rocking motion of the plate E13, as just described, the elastic washer E17 yielding as the plate E13 is rocked.

Journaled upon the spindle E of the back flap are two arms F F, having their lower ends curved and either attached to or formed as a part of the bar F4. (Shown in sectional view in Fig. 5, 6, 7, and S.)

The curved arms F F pass through slots F2 in the plate A, (see Fig.. 1,) and the bar F extends from one arm to the other-and lengthwise of and beneath the folding-bed B. To the bar F are attached the envelope-lifting blades F3, entering the slots F4 in the foldingbed B, with the upper edges of the blades,

when in their normal position, flush with the upper surface of the folding-bed.

Lugs F5 project from the central section of the bar F, to which a connecting-rod F1i is attached, (see Figs. 5, 6, 7, and 8,) carrying at its lower end a roll F7, which engages with and is operated by a cam F8 on the shaft O and a spring F0. (See Fig. 10.) By means of said connectingrod F0, operated by the cam F2, the lifting-blades F3 are raised at the propel' time into the position shown in Figs. 5 and 7 from the position shown in Fig. 6.l

Journaled in bearings beneath the plate A and parallel with the spindle D of the sealflap folders is a shaft G, carrying between its bearings a sleeve G to which the radial arms G2- are attached or made integral therewith, the outer ends of the arms G2 having curved plates G3, curved concentrically with the shaft G. Upon the inner sides of each of the curved plates G3, or next to the folding-bed, are the fixed jaws G5. (See Fig. 6.) Each of the curved plates G3 is alsoprovided with a slot G0, curved concentrically with the shaft G, and a curved. rack G7, (see Fig. 7,) which is attached to the outer side of the plate G3 by means of the ears G8 and screws G0. A spindle G10 extends across from one of the plates G3 to the other, passing through the slots G0 and yhaving pinions G11 on the outer ends of the spindle and upon the outer sides of the plates C3 the pinions engaging the racks G7. To the spindle G10 are attached, just inside the curved plates G3, the jaws G12 in position to cause said jaws G12 to present opposing surfaces to the jaws G5 for the purpose of seizing the folded envelope vbetween the jaws G0 and G12, as hereinafter described.

The outer ends of the spindle G10 are connected by the links G13 with the ends of the radial arms G14, which are attached to the shaft G. (See Fig. 7.) A rocking motion is given to the shaft G by means of an arm G15, attached to said shaft and connected by rod G17 with'an arm G13, pivoted on a shaft G10, supported in hangers G20 under the table N. (See Figs. 9 and 10.) The shaft G19 carries a radial arm G21, at the outer end of which is connected the lever G22, carrying a roll G23, engaging with and' operated by the cam G24 on the shaft O and a spring G30. (See Fig. l0.) Through said cam and intervening mechanism a rocking motion` is given to the shaft G and parts connected therewith. The sleeve G', supported on the shaft G, is also given a rocking motion, independent of the shaft G, through the radial arm G10 and the connecting-rod G25, arm G20, fast 0n the shaft G19 and connected with lever G27, carrying roll G23, engaging with andv operated by G20 on)the shaft O and a spring G31. (See Fig. 10.

lAt. the side of the foldingbed B are placed the plates H H', between which the envelopes, as they are taken from the folding-bed, are delivered to either a drying or counting mechanism, as desired. j

The method of folding the envelope-blank and the operation of the several folding-wings in the operation of folding the blank is the same as that in common use in other machines of this class, and will therefore be readily understood without further detail description. The method of delivering the folded envelope from the folding-box or from the folding-bed B by means of the conjoint action of the folding-wings, lifting-blades, and mechanism for seizing the folded envelope is as follows: As soon as the envelope has been folded by the action of the folding-wings in the usual manner, the end-flap folders G C are raised to a Vertical position,the seal-flap folder D is also raised to a vertical position to allow the folded envelope to pass and be raised out of the folding-bornand the back-flap folder is raised to the position shown in Figs. l, 5, and 7, the lifting-blades F3 being at the same time raised simultaneously with the raising of the backiap folder, as shown in Figs. l, 5, and 7, thereby raising the envelope, which is inclosed between theupper edges of the lifting-blades and the under surfaces of the back-flap folder. The motion of the seal-nap folder is reversed' a short distance and brought into the position shown in Figs. l, 5, and 7, and the sleeve G is at the same time rocked upon the shaft G, bringing the radial arms G2 and curved plate G3 into the position shown in Figs. l 5, and 7 with the fixed jaws G5 beneath the under surfaces of the envelope as it rests upon thelifting-blades F3. During the movement of the curved plate G3 to the position as described, the shaft Gis also rocked through a short angular movement, causing lthe spindle G10 to be moved along the slots G6 through the radial arms G14 and links G13 rolling the pinions G11 along the fixed racks G7, and thereby rotating the spindle G10 and attached jaws G12 and causing the envelope to be seized between the opposing faces of the fixed jaws G5 and movable jaws G12, as shown in Fig. 5, in which figure the position of the several parts is shown in the position of seizing the envelope. As soon as the envelope is seized by thejaws G12 and G5, the sleeve G is rocked in the opposite direction, carrying the radial arms Gand curved plates Gato the position shown in Figs. 6 and 8, the shaft G and radial arms G14 being simultaneously reversed in their rocking position and with equal speed, so the racks G7 and pinions G11 will be carried down without causing a rotation of the spindle G10 until near the end of the rocking motion of the sleeve and shaft, when the motion of the shaft G is accelerated, causing spindle G to be moved in the opposite direction in the slots G0 and rolling the pinions along the racks GT, rotating the spindle G10 and attached jaws G12, bring ing them into the position shown in Figs. 6 and 8 and allowing the envelope to fall by its own weight down into the chute formed by the plates II and II. As the mechanism for delivering the envelope from the folding-box is engaged in carrying the envelope down to the position shown in Fig. 8, the back-flap folder and the seal-flap folder are carried to an upright position ready for the next succeeding envelope to be brought down upon the folding-bed B and folded by the foldingwings.

During the process of delivering the envelope from the folding-box, as above described, the back-flap folder has a motion from a position in contact with the envelope upon the folding-bed to the position shown in Figs. 1, 5, and 7, where it has a short period of rest` while the jaws G5 and G12 are seizing the envelope; then it moves to an upright position to receive an envelope-blank.

The seal-flap folder, while the envelope is being delivered, is raised first to a vertical position to allow the envelope to pass. It is then reversed a short distance to the position shown in Figs. l, 5, and 7, in order to allow the envelope to be drawn over the top of the seal-flap folder without raising the envelope, by means of the lifting-blades, so far. The seal-flap folder is then raised to a vertical position to receive the next envelope-blank.

By the operation of folding the envelopeblank by means of the hinged folding-wings, the folded envelope is held upon the foldingbed B and inclosed between the foldingwings, from which it is delivered in some machines by dropping the bed itself and delivraised but a short distance above the foldingbed, and the envelope being held upon the lifting-blades in an inclined position, tangentially to a circle which is concentric with the shaft G, about which the envelope-seizing jaws are carried.

A large part of the angular motion of the envelopeseizing apparatus, as herein described, is performed during the movement of the folding-apparatus, as it is performed out-4 side of and independently of the folding mechanism, allowing the movements of the folding and delivering mechanisms to overlap each other during a part of their movements, thereby saving time and increasing the speed at which the envelope-machine may be operated.

It will be understood that the details of construction of the several parts of my improved machine may be varied somewhat from what is shown and described Without departing from my invention.

Having thus described my invention,what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In an envelope machine, the combination with the folding-bed, and a ring surrounding said bed, of spindles having eccentric sections supporting said ring, and similar grooves around the spindles, and tapering pins screwed into the frame work, and entering said grooves, whereby the spindles are held from turning, substantially as described.

2. In an envelope machine, the combination with a folding bed, and a ring surrounding said bed, of eccentrics supporting said ring, and springs attached to said ring and to the frame work of the machine, with their tension applied to hold said ring in contact with said eccentrics, substantially as described.

3. In an envelope machine, the combination with a folding bed upon which the envelope blank is folded, of a back flap folder consistingI of two wings, each of which has a yielding pressure, and one of said wings folding the edge of the back flap, and the other of said wings pressing the gummed surface of the back flap, said wings havinga simultaneous movement through connected actuating mechanism, substantially as described.

4. In an envelope machine, the combination with the folding bed upon which the envelope blank is folded, of a spindle journaled at the side of and parallel with said folding bed,and having a rockingmotion, a wing on said spindle which is brought to bear upon the folding bed by the rocking motion of the spindle, a

IIO

plate with its face in the same plane as said Wing, andan actuating arm having a vibratory motion and being operatively connected with said wing, and said plate, whereby the .said wing and said plate are brought simultaand the other of said wings being carried by said vibrating arm, said wings having their corresponding surfaces in the same plane, and having a simultaneous movement upon the folding bed of the machine, substantially as described.

6. In the back fiap folder of an envelope machine, the combination with a spindle having a .rocking motion, and a wing adapted for folding the edge of the envelope, of an arm pivoted upon said spindle, a spring interposed between said arm and said wing, whereby a yielding pressure is applied to said win g, substantially as described.

7. In the back iiap folder of an envelope machine, the combination with a rocking spindle having a Wing forming a folding plate 0r blade for folding the edge of the envelope, of an arm pivoted in lugs on said rocking spindle, and operatively connected with said wing', whereby the vibratory movement of said arm is communicated to said wing, substantially as described, apress'ure plate adapted to press upon the gummed surface of the back flap and having a convex plate seated in a concave washer carried by said arm, a bolt connecting said arm and said pressure plate and having a nut, and anelastic washer between said arm and the nut, substantially as described.

8. In the back flap folder of an envelope' machine, the combination of a spindle E, lugs E4 carrying pin E3, arm E5, win g E2 integral with the spindle E, bolt E3 attached to saidy with a folding bed on which the blank is folded, and a back flap folder moved about an axis at the side of and parallel with said folding bed, of lifting blades, passing through slots in the folding bed, and having a motion concentric with the movement of the back flap folder, whereby the folded'envelope is raised from the folding bed, simultaneously with the raising of the back flap folder, substantially as described.

10. In an envelope machine, the combination with a spindle carrying the back flap folding wings, of curved arms journaledon said spindle and carrying a bar placed beneath and lengthwise of the bed upon which the envelope blank is folded, and a series of lifting plates or blades attached to said bar, and passing through slots in the bed upon which the envelope blanks are folded, substantially as described.

11. In an envelope machine, the combination with the folding bed on which the envelope blanks are folded, of lifting blades passing through slots in the folding bed, and having a motion by which the seal iiap side of the folded envelope is raised above the seal flap folder, a seal flap folder having a motion away from the folding bed to release the seal flap inside of the envelope and a reverse motion to reduce the distance from the bed to the top of the seal flap folder, and mechanism, substantially as described, for removing the envelope from the lifting blades over the seal ii-ap folder, as and for the purpose set forth.

12. In an envelope machine, the combina; tion with a folding bed, and lifting blades by which the folded envelope is raised from said bed, of the radial arms G2, plates G3, fixed jaws G5, spindle G10 passing through slots in the plates G3, pinions G11, racks G7 attached tothe plates G3 and engaging said pinions, and movable jaws G12 attached to the spindle G10, and mechanism substantially as described by which said `pinions are rolled along said iiXed racks, and the jaws G12 rotated toward `or away from said fixed jaws, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

13. In an envelope machine, the combination with a folding bed upon which the envelope blanks are folded, and lifting blades by Which the folded envelope is raised from off said bed, of the envelope delivering mechanism, comprising the arms G2, plates G3 having slots G3, racks G7, spindle G10, attached jaws G13, xed jaws G5, pinions G11, radial arms G14, links G13, said arms G14 having a movement relatively to the movement of the arms G2 so thepinions G11 are rolled along the racks G7 for the purpose of opening and closing the envelope seizing jaws, as and for the purpose set forth.

14. In an envelope machine, the combination with afolding bed upon which the envelope blanks are folded, and lifting blades by which the folded envelope is raised from said folding bed, of the shaft G having the radial arms G14, sleeve G journaled on the shaft G, radial arms G3, plates G3 having slots G0, racks G7, attached to the plates G3, spindle G10, jaws G12 attached to the spindle G10, fixed Ajaws G5, and links G13 connecting the arms G14 with the spindle G10, substantially as de- ICO IIO 

